"I cannot reiterate strongly enough how important it is that everyone has prepared a bushfire plan and emergency survival kit, and understands the bushfire warnings," says Grant Pipe from the Department of Fire and Emergency Service (DFES).

Fires are burning along the only highway through the West Kimberley and in the Pilbara's Karijini National Park. In the height of the tourist season, authorities are particularly concerned about visitors to the region.

"With recent bushfires reducing visibility on the Great Northern Highway, motorists travelling in smoke affected areas are also reminded to slow down, turn their headlights on and only proceed if they know it is safe," says Kimberley Superintendent Grant Pipe.

Bushfires have been burning out of control along the highway, south and east of Broome, for five days. While the fire near Roebuck roadhouse has been extinguished, a fire further south, near the Bidyadanga Aboriginal community, continues to burn out of control. Authorities say both fires have suspicious causes and they're calling for people who have information about their ignition to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

"There is a reward of up to $50,000 available for information leading to the identification and conviction of people deliberately lighting fires in Western Australia," Mr Pipe says.

Areas to avoid

There are also concerns around a fire burning near the Auski roadhouse in the Karijini National Park and the Cane River Conservation Park. Although no roads were closed at the time this article was published, DFES are asking people to avoid the popular Karijini tourist area ahead of a forecast wind change.

Mr Pipe says that it's essential that people in bushfire areas understand how to react should conditions worsen.

"An Advice means you need to be aware and keep up to date, a Watch and Act alert means you need to leave the area or get ready to actively defend your home, and an Emergency Warning is the highest level of alert; this means you need to act immediately to survive."

These fires come as DFES prepare for the worst of northern WA's fire season. A large fuel load produced by good rainfall in the last wet season is now approaching tinder dryness. Temperatures are starting to rise, but widespread rainfall in the Pilbara and Kimberley is unlikely before December, or even January.

"Recently a number of concerning bushfires have occurred in the region, and the bushfire threat will only increase as the dry season continues," says Mr Pipe.

The reality for emergency services is that relief from the threat of northern bushfires is likely to only come in the form of cyclone activity, making for a very busy nine months ahead.